Orlando, FL (Jan 21, 2008) - Bob Costas is the surprise guest speaker at Lotusphere 2008 in Orlando this morning (pictured at right). I will not hear his presentation until later, and he is not giving interviews. The reaction is decidedly mixed as his speech is definitely US-centric, although the audience is decidedly international. And it is decidedly split in their reaction to him.

Matt White from the United Kingdom said he had no idea who he was and "I thought it was about the worst keynote I've [ever] seen." Another attendee loved it and has recorded it.

In addition he has apparently made some comments about China that will not go over well. Part of not knowing his audience is that his presentation will be on YouTube very quickly and he will not be able to hide from it, no matter what your view of him is. As soon as it is available I will post it here. I will also be posting pictures from his presentation, with my own take on what he says. I will also be live-blogging his presentation as well.

I agree that the keynote speech was not well aimed at the diverse audience.

Not only were the non-US people somewhat at a loss to catch his many references to American Football, I heard many Americans who are not New England Patriots fans complain that his eulogy to this wonderful team was over the tom (especially since they have not yet won the SuperBowl).